SpaceX is seeking federal approval to deploy up to 1 million solar-powered satellite data centers. The proposal signals a push to turn Starlink into a broader space-based computing and data infrastructure platform.
SpaceX has asked US regulators for permission to launch as many as 1 million solar-powered satellite “data centers,” a proposal that would dramatically expand the scope of its Starlink satellite network beyond broadband connectivity.
The filing suggests SpaceX is exploring how space-based infrastructure could handle data processing, storage, or routing — potentially reducing latency for global services and creating new layers of orbital computing capacity.
For SpaceX, the move reflects a longer-term ambition to control not just how data moves around the world, but where it is processed.
Why space-based data centers matter
Placing compute infrastructure in orbit could offer advantages such as:
- Lower latency for satellite-dependent applications
- Global coverage without terrestrial bottlenecks
- Reduced reliance on ground-based data centers in remote regions
However, the scale of the proposal raises regulatory and environmental questions, including orbital congestion, debris management, and spectrum use.
Regulatory hurdles ahead of SpaceX
The request will require approval from multiple US agencies, including the Federal Communications Commission. Regulators will need to assess how the plan fits within existing frameworks designed primarily for communications satellites, not computing infrastructure.
Even if approved, analysts say deployment would likely be gradual and experimental rather than immediate.
